What is a Gurdwara Sahib?

During the times of the early Gurus, Sikh
places of worship were referred to as dharamsalas. They were places
where Sikhs could gather to hear the Guru speak and recite hymns. It
was Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji who introduced the word Gurdwara Sahib,
meaning House of the Guru and the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Hence all
Sikh places of worship are known as Gurdwara Sahibs. The Nishaan Sahib
(the Sikh flag) identifies a Gurdwara Sahib.

The main religious activities carried out at a Gurdwara
Sahib are;

Recitation of Gurbani or Simran (meditation)
- Recitation of Gurbani or Simran (meditation) - these are readings
from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and meditations, which are complementary
to each other. While Gurbani brings us closer to an understanding of
God's purpose, Simran truly unites us with the divine. Recitation from
Sri Guru Granth Ji and repetition of a particular verse, roots its sense
in our mind, in order that the mind is moulded accordingly. Naam - Simran
increases concentration and raises levels of consciousness to a higher
level and unites us with the wonderful Lord, Waheguru.

Kirtan - is the singing and reciting
of Gurbani Shabad (hymns) from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that produces
a state of oneness with God. This is a gradual but maturing process,
like the ripening of the fruit on a tree. Sacred music enables one to
reach this stage of peace and equipoise. The mind becomes calm and relieved;
it realises that the source of peace is not something external, but
within one's own consciousness.

Katha - the deeper explanation of
the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's message: that there is One, All-pervading
reality. The purpose of human life is to understand this Truth through
self-purification and self-observation while alive - not after death,
but here and now. Ensuring truthfulness is the core of daily life, and
to make wisdom, humility and contentment the temple within.

Guru ka Langar – is the community
kitchen and the food prepared is simple vegetarian and blessed. Guru
Nanak Dev Ji had started a crusade against the tyrannies of the high
born over the people of humble origin; and the Guru's Langar was an
institution which was promulgated in this holy campaign.

Those who profess other faiths are as freely allowed to partake of and
help in the running of the kitchen as the followers of the Sikh faith
themselves. No distinction is made between man and woman, between the
Sikhs and the non-Sikhs, between social groups, in the seating or serving
of food in the Guru's kitchen. 'Men of God, wherever they are, of whatever
race or creed, belong to one community, the community of man, free from
the chains of birth, creed and race.'

Guru ka Langar stresses the principle of equality regardless of
religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. It further
expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and the oneness
of all mankind.